Leave the vest full of flies behind.
Tenkara is a Japanese fly fishing that strips things down to their most simple.
One fly.
One rod.
![Sam Vanderbeek uses a Tenkara rod while fly-fishing in the Oregon coast range.](https://opb-opb-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SV4HFIHQONCDDL7S4XIJDB4OD4.jpg?auth=9e44c3c91828ffdb476f349c05ab264c46a9cc547a2ba52c37ebf551beb3e995&width=150)
Sam Vanderbeek uses a Tenkara rod while fly-fishing in the Oregon coast range.
Corky Miller / Oregon Public Broadcasting
All responsibility lies with the fisher.
This ancient, simple form of fly-fishing from Japan has become popular in US. Tenkara rods have no reel, a short but extendable rod and a fixed length of light line.
Fans say it makes fly fishing possible even on small mountain streams.
![Masako Tani occasionally uses Tenkara rods but actually prefers western rods and reels. Her husband, fly-fishing author Dave Hughes enjoys Tenkara more than she does.](https://opb-opb-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/I42I5TJGO5HAFFRPIZDRHUIWFQ.jpg?auth=fe3cea38c55532a14ccd42dad2d2cd1d7dd9ccc1dfc8558ed63ab0a7b925bce0&width=150)
Masako Tani occasionally uses Tenkara rods but actually prefers western rods and reels. Her husband, fly-fishing author Dave Hughes enjoys Tenkara more than she does.
Todd Sonflieth / Oregon Public Broadcasting
Resources and Information
Recreational Educational Adventures
Tenkara USA
Dave Hughes Fly Fishing